Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 28, 2026

Powder River Pass

Powder River Pass is a mountain pass in the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming traversed by U.S. Highway 16 (US 16). Also known as Muddy Pass, it is the highest point on US 16. It is between the towns of Buffalo and Ten Sleep.

Last revised
Jun 28, 2026
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Citations
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Wikipedia ↗
Powder River Pass
Powder River Pass, looking west
Elevation9,666 ft (2,946 m)1
Traversed byU.S. Highway 16
LocationJohnson County, Wyoming, United States
RangeBighorn Mountains
Coordinates44°08′59″N 107°04′46″W / 44.14972°N 107.07944°W / 44.14972; -107.07944
Map
Interactive map of Powder River Pass
The Powder River Pass sign source ↗

Powder River Pass (el. 9,666 ft or 2,946 m) is a mountain pass in the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming traversed by U.S. Highway 16 (US 16).1 Also known as Muddy Pass, it is the highest point on US 16.1 It is between the towns of Buffalo and Ten Sleep.2

Climate

Powder River Pass has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc).

Climate data for Powder River Pass, Wyoming, 1991–2020 normals: 9480ft (2890m)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 25.6
(−3.6) 		26.9
(−2.8) 		34.5
(1.4) 		39.9
(4.4) 		48.1
(8.9) 		57.7
(14.3) 		66.9
(19.4) 		65.5
(18.6) 		55.3
(12.9) 		42.0
(5.6) 		31.6
(−0.2) 		24.6
(−4.1) 		43.2
(6.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 17.1
(−8.3) 		17.4
(−8.1) 		24.1
(−4.4) 		29.5
(−1.4) 		38.3
(3.5) 		46.9
(8.3) 		55.0
(12.8) 		53.8
(12.1) 		45.1
(7.3) 		33.3
(0.7) 		23.2
(−4.9) 		16.4
(−8.7) 		33.3
(0.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 8.7
(−12.9) 		7.8
(−13.4) 		13.7
(−10.2) 		19.0
(−7.2) 		28.4
(−2.0) 		36.2
(2.3) 		43.1
(6.2) 		42.2
(5.7) 		34.9
(1.6) 		24.5
(−4.2) 		14.8
(−9.6) 		8.3
(−13.2) 		23.5
(−4.7)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.92
(49) 		2.04
(52) 		2.37
(60) 		3.36
(85) 		3.81
(97) 		3.13
(80) 		1.53
(39) 		1.26
(32) 		1.99
(51) 		2.34
(59) 		1.83
(46) 		1.69
(43) 		27.27
(693)
Source 1: XMACIS23
Source 2: NOAA (Precipitation)4
References

References

  1. Federal Writers' Project (2013). The WPA Guide to Wyoming: The Cowboy State. Trinity University Press. ISBN 9781595342485.
  2. Slater, Shirley; Basch, Harry (2010). RV Vacations For Dummies (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. 294. ISBN 9780470934135. OCLC 848919516.
  3. "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  4. "Powder River Pass, Wyoming 1991-2020 Monthly Normals". Retrieved October 12, 2023.